Lesson Transcript

Welcome to GermanPod101.com’s “Deutsch in 3 Minuten”. The fastest, easiest, and most fun way to learn German.

In the last lesson, we learned how to introduce ourselves in German. Today we’re going to learn how to use good manners as we thank people.

Fertig? Are you ready? Los! So let’s start!

There are several ways to thank someone, let’s start with the easiest. It is just one word:

Danke.

[slowly] Danke.

Danke means “thank you”.

When saying “thank you very much” you just need to add sehr.

[slowly] Danke sehr.

Sehr means “a lot”. So Danke sehr is like saying “Thank you very much.”

During the last lesson we discussed the informal and the formal way of speaking German. Danke is the casual way to thank someone. If you want to be more formal, there is another phrase you should use.

Ich danke Ihnen. [slowly] Ich danke Ihnen.

Let’s break this phrase down. Ich is I, and danke means thanks. Ihnen is a formal word for you in the dative case. Notice that we don’t use Sie as in the last lesson. We will discuss German pronouns in more depth in a later lesson. The full sentence once again: Ich danke Ihnen.

How do you answer? It’s easy! Here are two different ways to do it.

The first is:

Bitteschön.

[slowly] Bitteschön

Bitteschön can be used with just about anybody.

The other way to say “you are welcome” is the expression:

Gern geschehen.

[slowly] Gern geschehen.

Literally, this phrase means "I liked it to happen" or "happened with pleasure,” but it has become a common and polite way to respond to someone

thanking you.

So when someone saying Danke to you, we can simply reply with:

Bitteschön or Gern geschehen.

Now it’s time for Laura’s Insights.

If you’re not sure about whether to use Danke or Ich danke Ihnen, keeping it simple is always your safest bet. You don’t have to worry about formal or informal situations; Danke can be used with just about anyone, anywhere, and at anytime!

Do you know what Auf Wiedersehen means? In our next lesson you’ll learn this and other greetings in German!

It says 'upper beginner' but you can still take a look to understand the Dative case concept better.

We also have a Grammar Bank feature on the site:

https://www.germanpod101.com/german-grammar/

If there's a grammar point you're interested in reading more about, please check it out. ;)

We hope it helps.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

Cheers,

Lena

Team GermanPod101.com

Maryn Lyn Hoefer

Tuesday at 8:55 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

"Absolute Beginner" here. When you say that "Ihnen" in "Ich danke Ihnen" is "in the dative case," what is it that you mean by that? I don't see any explanation of what "dative case" means. And, as I noted, I am an Absolute Beginner. : ) Thank you.

GermanPod101.com

Monday at 11:36 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello Keith,

Vielen Dank! You are welcome! ??

Please let us know if you have more questions.

Sincerely,

Albert

Team GermanPod101.com

Keith MCDowell

Sunday at 2:03 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Vielen Dank für die Korrekturen Albert.

GermanPod101.com

Sunday at 11:53 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello Maricarmen,

Thank you very much for your kind feedback! ?

Please let me correct one little mistake, "miteinand" should be "miteinander", I hope this helps!

Vielen dank und wir wünschen noch einen schönen Tag!

Kind regards,

Albert

Team GermanPod101.com

Maricarmen Lop

Friday at 12:10 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hallo mitenand! Danke sehr für diese Lektionen ?

GermanPod101.com

Friday at 6:13 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hallo wissam,

Great to have you here!

Please stay tuned, as we'll have new lessons for you every week! And if you have any questions, feel free to ask us.:wink:

Cristiane

Team GermanPod101.com

wissam

Thursday at 10:52 pm

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Danke sehr für alles

das ist sehr schön

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